Causes of World War I: European Rivalries

European Rivalries

• At the beginning of the 20th century, there were six major powers in Europe: Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
• France and Germany had a long-standing rivalry due to the Franco-Prussian war, where France was defeated and had to cede Alsace and Lorraine to Germany.
• Many French people felt humiliated by the defeat and wanted revenge and recovery of the lost territories.

The Naval Rivalry between Britain and Germany

• Britain, as an island nation with a vast oversea empire, maintained the strongest navy in the world.
• Germany attempted to challenge British naval supremacy, which Britain saw as a threat to its oversea trade and empire.
• Britain responded with its own program of naval expansion.

The Great Powers and Rival Alliances

• Germany and Austria-Hungary formed the Dual Alliance in 1879, a defensive alliance.
• In 1882, the Dual Alliance was expanded to include Italy, forming the Triple Alliance (Central Powers).
• The Entente Powers, consisting of Britain, France, and Russia, formed an opposing alliance (Triple Entente).
• Both groups were hostile to each other and increased their stocks of weapons.

Germany

• Germany was formed from many small states in 1871, united under Otto von Bismarck.
• Bismarck believed that military strength was the solution to all questions, achieved through 'blood and iron'.
• Germany's strong industry enabled it to support a large and well-equipped army.
• By 1900, Germany's industrial output had surpassed Britain's, second only to the USA's.
• Kaiser Wilhelm II aimed to build a powerful navy and an empire to rival Britain's.

Austria-Hungary

• Austria-Hungary was Germany's oldest ally, a large and ancient empire comprising many different peoples.
• The empire was difficult to rule due to the various languages, customs, and demands for independence.
• Many groups within the empire sought independence.

Italy

• Italy was the weakest of the Central Powers, unified in 1870.
• It sought new areas to colonize but had little industry, with Southern Italy being very backward.

France

• France's main aim since 1870 was to take revenge on Germany for the Franco-Prussian war defeat.
• France was building up its industrial strength, but knew it needed allies and resources to defeat Germany.